Fèis Phàislig Celebrates a Successful 9th Annual Fèis Week
Fèis Phàislig is delighted to announce the successful conclusion of its 9th annual Fèis Week, a vibrant celebration of traditional music and Gaelic culture. The event, held at Johnstone High School from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th July, brought together over 170 young participants from across Renfrewshire and further afield, working with some of Scotland’s finest traditional musicians and tutors.
Highlights of the Week
The Main Fèis Week offered classes in a variety of subjects for young musicians in P4-S6 including fiddle, filmmaking, circus skills, clarsach, and music production, which was new for 2024. Additionally, the Fèis delivered a Fèis Bheag (Wee Fèis)– introductory sessions for pupils in P1-P3 that included music, song, dance, arts, and crafts. The Advanced Fèis offered specifically developed workshops for teenage musicians and singers in S1-S6 to further develop their skills.
One of the standout events was the Wednesday night Tutors’ Ceilidh, where all the tutors formed a one-off star-studded ceilidh band, delivering a memorable performance for the participants and their families. This event has become a highlight of the week, showcasing the immense talent and enthusiasm of the tutors. This year’s ceilidh band featured John Somerville, Chloë Bryce, Stevie Fyvie, Isla Callister and the 2024 BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Calum McIlroy.
The week culminated in a spectacular Finale Concert, where all participants had the opportunity to perform on stage. This concert, attended by a packed audience of family and friends, showcased the impressive progress and talents of the young musicians. The performances were met with enthusiastic applause, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed by the skills and dedication of the participants.
Community Support and Involvement
Fèis Week was made possible through the support of a dedicated team of over 20 parent volunteers and the Fèis Phàislig board members. Their commitment and hard work were instrumental in ensuring the smooth running and success of the event. Grant McFarlane, Director of Fèis Phàislig, expressed his gratitude:
“Fèis Week is one of the highlights of our calendar and I’m delighted to see it go from strength to strength. Our team of talented tutors give young people from the area such a special experience of their culture and I’d like to thank them, as well as our brilliant team of volunteers, for all their efforts and hard work.”